Had an article in the Daily Mail not emerged earlier this month the decision would have come as huge shock, especially when you factor in Huddersfield’s promotion to the top table and the riches that come with it.

Last season Chelsea banked in excess of £150m from their share of TV broadcast money, while rock-bottom Sunderland claimed almost £100m. With that in mind you can assume Huddersfield will claim in excess of £100m this time around just for being in the top flight and so on the face of it scaling back their Academy seems bonkers and short-sighted.

The Terriers claim their Academy, that runs from Under-8s right the way through to the Under-23s, costs £20,000 a week or £1million a year to maintain – a drop in the ocean when you factor in their income. But GoPlay Sports understands their decision is not a financial one and nothing to do with cost-cutting and more about being able to develop players into their first team. Fans, parents and local businesses have accused them of putting finances before youth development, but when the facts are laid down on the table, it seems a move that makes sense.

Only one player since the HTAFC Academy opened 18 years ago developed into a Premier League player – Jon Stead, who played for Sunderland, Blackburn and Sheffield United.

The likes of Jack Hunt and Alex Smithies have forged decent careers at Championship level, while current players Philip Billing and Tommy Smith were brought into the Academy at 17 and 20 respectively. They weren’t nurtured by the Terriers from age 8, but picked up from Denmark and Manchester City and then brought through into the first team and that indeed will be the aim of the new set-up.

Huddersfield plan to axe every team from under-8s to Under-16s and will keep only their Under-18s and Under-23s as they move from a category 2 to a category 4 Academy. That means they will now only be allowed to recruit and develop talent from the age of 16 and over with the current youth sides being phased out within the next month.

If any criticism is to be lodged at Huddersfield and Hoyle it is the timing of the decision – just over a month into the new season. And after the euphoria of promotion to the Premier League, the club’s Academy coaches and young players will be packing their bags with just a month consultancy period offered to them.

Huddersfield though are now “focusing on creating a clear pathway to the first team for players with the ability to thrive” with chairman Dean Hoyle happy to implement the change, which he has described as “the hardest” he has had to make while at the helm.

Hoyle, who made his fortune from greeting cards, pointed out that the ethos of the Academy was failing.

“Our Academy system must provide a strong and obvious pathway to the First Team for players who are good enough, whilst also representing value for the Club. Upon review, this is not something that we could claim,” he told the club’s website.

It’s a move which Championship side Brentford made in early 2016 and one which they were criticized for for being “short-sighted”. The Bees have scrapped all but their Under-23 side or B team and are now solely focused on developing players aged 17 or above.

They aim to pick up released players from Premier League Academies, while also picking up players from “undervalued markets” overseas. Their Academy was running at a cost of £2m a year and owner Matthew Benham decided it was not worth the while.

And one of the major reasons why these Academies are failing is that Premier League clubs, with category 1 status, can simply cherry-pick the best youngsters and pay a nominal compensation fee. Under the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) the biggest clubs get to swallow up the best talent, while other rules under the plan are restrictive.

Brentford’s head of football operations Robert Rowan told The Guardian last year: “It allowed us far more flexibility on how we do that because we are not as restricted by regulation or rules. It was the most sustainable and effective option. It’s a lot easier to assess something that has got a turnaround of three years than over 10 years. ”

It’s widely understood that elite youth talent in England is actively encouraged to attend the category 1 academies and so a team like Huddersfield with Manchester United and Manchester City almost on their door step are always vulnerable to their best youngsters being recruited.

The best youngsters who have been scouted by the FA and already recruited by England will be actively encouraged, if not told, to join the elite Academies – leaving the likes of Brentford and Huddersfield kicking their heels.

It’s a failing model for non-elite clubs and we will likely see more English clubs follow in the footsteps of Brentford and Huddersfield as they look to develop talent that can make an impact in the first team, rather than trying to nurture an 8-year-old that will get picked off by the big guns if he shows anywhere near the talent that’s required.

Aligning the MLS calendar with Europe’s top leagues is a idea that has been proposed for some time, but now seems the right time to implement it.

There have been well documented concerns about the development of MLS for some time, but now is the time for MLS Commissioner Don Garber to act. Aligning the calendar with the European schedule, starting the season in July or August and finishing in May or June is a must if the league is to improve. Introducing an international break and aligning with the international transfer window would then fall into place and would be hugely beneficial.

There is of course an issue with the cold weather in winter in the northern cities, but the increasing number of franchises in the south makes it workable. And such is the opportunity to attract top overseas talent at the current time, that a change must be made.

There were an unprecedented number of young, talented English players that moved out of the the Premier League this summer, all of which slipped the MLS net.

Thirteen Premier League clubs broke their transfer records this summer, spending a combined £1.47bn and many of those players were brought in from overseas.

Such was that spending that more English youngsters than ever before decided to take their chances away from England. It’s becoming almost impossible for good, young English talent to make the grade in the top flight. And as plenty of Europe’s League’s have benefitted this season, so could MLS.

A move to the European schedule now makes complete sense, add an international break and English talent and other European talent would find the move across The Pond more alluring. Playing MLS matches while international action takes place is crazy. It not only penalizes teams who cannot call upon their best players, but it also turns imports off from moving to America.

Jadon Sancho, named player of the tournament as England Under-17s reached the European Championship final, moved for £10million from Manchester City to Borussia Dortmund. West Ham defender Reece Oxford and Liverpool’s Ryan Kent went on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach and Freiburg respectively.

Chris Willock, Matty Willock, Kaylen Hinds, Mason Mount and Charlie Colkett have all moved on loan to European clubs. All highly regarded youngsters in Gareth Southgate’s England set-up, but unable to get game time in the EPL.

Would they have considered a move to MLS – a league that is out of sync with Europe – and that runs from March to October? No.

Align the league with Europe and introduce a break while internationals take place and some of those youngsters may well have opted to take their chance in MLS. That would mean talented, hungry European players willing to play in America – a move that could only be a plus for the league.

There are however a few talented English youngsters already plying their trade in the league. Jack Barmby, Anton Walkes and Jack Harrison are all carving out successful careers in MLS and Stoke-born Harrison thinks MLS could become a destination of choice for more of his fellow countrymen.

Asked if there could be more players following him across the Atlantic: “Definitely, yeah,” said Harrison. “I think the way the game is changing now, you get these clubs that are just buying top players.

“They are paying so much money for them as well and it makes it that much harder for the academy kids that have been there since six-years-old to try and make it to the first team.

“It’s that much harder so I wouldn’t be surprised if more players were to venture out and try different options.”

Harrison, who has scored nine goals in 28 games for New York City FC, is making an impact. And the 20-year-old former Man Utd youth academy player is starting to make some Premier League clubs sit up and take notice.

He left Carrington as a 13-year-old and joined Wake Forest University via an American boarding school and in January 2016 he was the first pick in the MLS SuperDraft, aged 18.

Harrison has almost been a pioneer for young English players looking to make it big in MLS, but a few key changes to the schedule could see dozens more players following his path across The Pond. It’s a decision that needs making and an opportunity that MLS cannot afford to pass up.

Alycia Washington is a starting member of the USA National Rugby Team set to face off with France for the Bronze Medal at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Belfast, N. Ireland tomorrow afternoon. When Alycia isn’t representing her country on her sport’s biggest stage, she coaches at University of New Haven and Simsbury High School. She plays club for New York Rugby Club and when she’s not coaching, playing or reffing, she represents GoPlay as a Regional Coordinator. took some time to answer

Alycia took some time to answer some questions about her rugby journey, how the sport has helped her grow over the years and why she thinks it’s an excellent sport for young women athletes:

How’d you first get into rugby and what inspired you to give it a try?

When I first got to college, it seemed like such a huge place, and I was looking for a way to make it feel a bit smaller. I also didn’t want to gain the “freshman 15” so when my friend suggested rugby to me it seemed like a natural fit. Then I went to one practice and I was hooked! The team was so welcoming, I knew immediately that I found a home with them.

When did you first get aspirations to play at the highest levels?

Honestly, during my first year or so of playing, I had no idea there were options to play after college. One of my opponent’s coaches nominated me for a USA U20 tryout and that really opened my eyes to how big the rugby community is. Once I got selected for that squad, I was even more motivated to keep improving and I set my sights on making it to a World Cup.

What’s it like wearing the crest of the USA Eagles? How does it make you feel to represent your country?

It is truly the greatest honor. Getting my first jersey brought me to tears. How often do dreams come true? I just hope to always make my country proud whether I’m in the jersey or not. The crest may be visible on the jersey but, I am also carrying my family, my teammates, the teams I coach and all of the sacrifices and compromises they have made on my behalf with me all the time.

How do you view the responsibility of representing the USA in an international context?

It truly is a profound responsibility that is so much bigger than myself. I always try to remember that I am never just representing myself. It took a village to get me where I am today. Making that village proud is my motivation and I view that responsibility as the strongest source of motivation.

What are some misconceptions people might have about what it’s like to be on the national team?

A lot of people think that to be at this level you have to be very serious and regimented every minute of the day. We are here because we love the game and enjoy playing. We might lead slightly different lives and we are probably more conscientious about our habits but we are still just rugby players that enjoy off days and cheat meals like everyone else.

What opportunities and coaching along the way allowed you to get to where you are in your playing/coaching career?

Once I realized how big the rugby world is, I decided it was about time to take a trip with my college team during my senior year. It absolutely changed my life. I started looking for more and more ways to travel which led me to play for the Midwest Thunderbirds and I kept pursuing more ways I can see rugby all around the world.

You recently coached the Simsbury High School Girls team to the CT State Championships. When did you start coaching and what inspired you to get into it?

Rugby has given me so much that I felt I needed to find ways to give back so when I started working at The University of New Haven in 2014, the same year that they started their women’s rugby club, I felt compelled to share my experience with them. In my third year with New Haven, I took on a coaching position with Simsbury High School. I have learned an incredible amount from the players and other coaches. They are all so inspiring and supportive and have contributed more than they’ll ever know to my rugby career.

Would you recommend rugby as a sport for young women? If so, what opportunities would rugby give them that they couldn’t get playing other sports?

Absolutely! Rugby is both the ultimate team and individual sport. I have gained so many skills that will help me in everyday life like communication and resilience. But most of all, the knowledge that I have a global family of ruggers is incredible. The welcoming environment I have received in every country where I have played is inspiring and humbling. I don’t think you can get the same experience in any other sport, especially as a woman.

Why do you work for GoPlay? Why is travel such an ingrained element of rugby culture?

I work for GoPlay because it provides exactly what i think the world needs right now: an outlet to understand and become engaged in other cultures. Rugby laws (for the most part) are universal and this common thread connects us all so i believe we are so inclined to travel because we want to express and show respect for this connection to our brother and sister ruggers around the world.

Chris Sutton may be loathed as a spiky football pundit, but his recent interview for BT Sport with Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers was enlightening.

As far as youth football goes it gave a great insight into the determination that is now required for young talented players to make it to the top level.

After spending 15 years in youth development before becoming a manager, former Liverpool boss Rodgers is one of the most respected figures in the game and now in his fifth management job, he admitted: “I appreciate what I have now.”

And that is most definitely a two-way street after arriving on a 12-month rolling deal last May after being sacked by Liverpool in October 2015. It didn’t take Celtic long to realize they owed more to the 44-year-old Northern Irishman, who guided Celtic to the Scottish title in April this year with eight games to spare.

Just five days later the Hoops had handed Rodgers a four-year deal – a contract he hopes to fulfill – and ultimately see the club to a record “10 in a row” league titles. That’s Rodgers’ aim, along with coaching for “another 20 years”, but it is the principles he has put in place at Parkhead in his first 12 months that have been so momentous and which undoubtedly aided their unbeaten domestic treble in his first season.

GoPlay Sports are Celtic’s designated US travel operator

Sutton asked the Northern Irishman about his philosophy at Celtic and Rodgers revealed one of the biggest changes he made from the Ronny Delia era was a change in lifestyle.

“The obligation for youth academies is two-fold: to get players into the first team; to make sure they are good enough,” Rodgers said.

“I never give a freebie. If I have a senior player who is working his socks off for me and he is not playing, I won’t throw his place out just to give a place to a young guy who has done ok in one game They have to earn it.

“The most important thing for me at Celtic is letting the talent believe they can be better. The talent is here but will they take responsibility and will they make the commitment to be a better player?

“Can they improve their life? Can they be inspired to see that they are more than a talent and that they need to work. They can go on and make more money here or go on but that is down to how you approach your life,” added Rodgers.

“One of the biggest changes I made here was about lifestyle. Really devote yourself. They can have fun, and I want them to enjoy themselves but it is about timing.

“The modern game demands that. You cannot get away with it now like you used to do years ago. Lifestyle is absolutely vital for players and each club will have their ethos but for me here to be a Champions League player consistently there is a demand and a price to pay for that.”

Scottish champions Celtic have a genuine commitment to developing their academy players into first-teamers; we caught up with the club’s International Soccer Academy Manager to find out more…

Last May Celtic youngster Jack Aitchison became the club’s youngest ever goalscorer at 16 years and 71 days old after netting in the 7-1 romp over Motherwell in the final game of the season.

Aitchison, now 17, has gone on to make six senior appearances this season, scoring three times and he is just one of a long list of youngsters, past and present, who have graduated through the club’s St Ninian’s Academy and into the first XI.

In fact Willie McNab took great pride in telling us: “18 Academy players since 2001/02 that have now made their debut in the Champions League.”

Willie, who is also part of Celtic’s U15s set-up, told us he had recently caught up with Tierney – another Hoops graduate who has already faced Barcelona at the Camp Nou.

“I actually managed to speak to Kieran last week and although he is only a young lad himself he was giving some great advice to some of the younger lads coming through.

“He was telling them how he started just kicking a ball against a wall to practice his touch and working on his left foot, right foot.

“It is inspirational for the younger guys coming through. I work with the Under-15s and it’s aspirational and inspirational to look at someone like Kieran and what it could mean in a few years time if you are willing to work hard and live the right life off the pitch as well as on it.

“It is great to see so many young players getting their opportunity and it bodes well for the future.”

Willie recently went through six of his best tips for coachesand he says he regularly keeps abreast of coaching techniques from other soccer coaches and from other sports to keep ahead of the game.

“There was a basketball coach speaking recently about players taking responsibility for themselves and working hard and we actually showed the players before we went on the pitch last night,” he said.

“We played them the clip and then waited until after the session and it was about it being a team effort and not just about the individual and how they are always developing.

“The kids I have are just a couple of years away from potentially having a professional contract and being in and around the first team and it is becoming real for them.

“But they are still kids and developing and we have to give them that environment where they can still make mistakes and that it is okay to mistakes, but still get them ready for the chance when it comes along.”

Celtic Academy ethos

The ethos at Celtic’s Academy, set out by Chris McCart, is to “strive to develop first team regulars who are capable of performing in the Champions League for Celtic” and Willie told us that working at the highest level possible is uppermost in the coaches’ thoughts.

“The ethos set by Chris McCart is trying to develop players that can play at the highest level possible, be that in the Champions League or for their country and we’re hoping for Scotland because we have predominantly Scottish players in the Academy.

“We are under no illusions as coaches that is the level we are striving for and we know not every kid will hit those heights and maybe they will find a level elsewhere.

“I think it is now 18 youth Academy players since 2001/02 that have now made their debut in the Champions League. It’s an excellent record. Three of them did it this season – Kiernan Tierney, Liam Henderson and Callum McGregor.

“Tierney made his debut in the Nou Camp against Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez. I was talking to him the other day about it and he said it was just ‘unbelievable’ and in the second game against Man City where he scored he had a real battle with Raheem Sterling and that is the level we want the boys to get to.

“We do understand though that they develop at different rates and not all of then will make that level but if you shoot for that level, both on and off the pitch then it gives them the best opportunity to have a career within the game.”

We asked Willie at what age do the academy players start thinking about tactics.

“The technical basis is really important. We make sure a player can receive the ball, pass the ball, run with the ball, but there is also the tactical element too,” he added.

“That becomes really important especially when they start playing 11 a side. Our Under 12s now are starting to learn that side of the game about balance and not attacking with too many players and making sure you are not leaving yourself open to a counter-attack.

“The technical element is hugely important, but when the players get to 13 and upwards the tactical element is also introduced.”

Counter-attacking

With counter-attacking becoming more popular in the modern game we asked Willie whether the Academy starlets were well versed on how to break quickly and how to stop being caught out by quick-thinking opponents.

“Yes it’s more of a consideration these days. We also say ‘when you are attacking be in a good defensive position’ and so it’s knowing that when you are attacking you are at your most vulnerable.

“If you look at the stats and the technical report from the UEFA Champions League was that a quicker build up is now happening, apart from Barcelona, who are more methodical.

“Goals are being scored within three or four passes now and teams are going at you quickly and if you flood too many men forward, teams will just pick you off.

“If you look at Celtic and they way they play I think we’ve only conceded 22 league goals all season and very few of those, maybe none have been conceded from the counter-attack.

“We make sure that when we have possession for long periods, the door is shut behind you.

“So we say to our kids ‘when you are attacking be in a good defensive position and when you are defending be in a good offensive position’. ‘Be in an area where you can win the ball back and start a quick counter attack.’

“That is the information we are giving to our kids in the U14,” added Willie.

4. Humility

Have that respect factor and not only for your players but also from your fellow coaches. It’s something that Brendan Rodgers preaches here at Celtic.

No matter who you are speaking to, whether it is a five-year-old or one of your fellow coaches it’s vital you have that humility.

The head of the Academy Chris McCart has always instilled that and when Brendan Rodgers came in he just reinforced it and when you have got someone like Brendan Rodgers, who has been where he has, coming in and saying the same it just reaffirms the good work that is going on in the Academy.

5. Fully commit

Make sure you fully commit to what you are going to do. I love coaches who have an enthusiasm for the game.

You have to put your heart and soul into it. Players look at the coach to get inspiration from and you can be a role model and a father figure/big brother figure and they will try and model themselves on you, so you have to give off that enthusiasm.

6. Be yourself

Do not copy anyone. Get inspiration from other coaches and look at the top guys like Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and Brendan Rodgers and get ideas, but ultimately be your own person.

Have your own personality and attitude. You don’t need to become a clone of anyone.

Tel: 800-888-ACIS.

Images of opposition football fans standing in unity will be the overriding memory from last night.

Pictures of the stricken Dortmund team bus, with shattered windows and scores of police officers trying to quell the panic were just a side issue; that temporary chaos should and not be the focus of Tuesday’s night’s latest assault on humanity.

German airline Eurowings have offered free rebooking of return flights to all Monaco fans who travelled to Dortmund.

When three explosive devices were detonated near the Borussia Dortmund team bus ahead of the night’s Champions League clash with Monaco, the perpetrators aim was to cause carnage, injure and maim innocent citizens. Fortunately only one person was injured – Dortmund player Marc Bartra who suffered a broken wrist – but the abiding memory will be of how the football world closed ranks to condemn another thoughtless act of violence.

Attacking soft targets appears to be a common theme throughout the world, with so-called Islamic terror groups aiming to cause as much destruction and loss of life as possible with the apparent goal to split and divide communities and to stop people travelling and experiencing other cultures.

As per the famous quote by Benjamin Disraeli: “Travel teaches toleration.”

And on Wednesday all efforts to deny travel and thus halt toleration failed. In Dortmund the latest was not successful and future demonic efforts to attack ‘life’ will continue to fail too.

The images and videos of Monaco fans singing and showing their solidarity for their Champions League opponents Dortmund won – it was a beautiful sight. Within the hour the German hosts had started the ‘bedforawayfans’ initiative which enabled any stranded French fans the opportunity to stay at the houses of their hosts.

It consequently went viral with hundreds of Monaco fans from all backgrounds, who suddenly needed an extra night’s accommodation, sharing pictures and video on social media displaying of their togetherness.

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke urged his players to show their club does not bend to “terror and hatred”.

Watzke said in a statement on the club website: “The BVB family was always especially strong when it had to cope with difficult situations. This is perhaps the most difficult situation that we have faced in the past decades. I am sure that we will show ourselves as a strong and united BVB like never before.

“We do not just play for us today. We play for everyone – no matter whether Borussia, Bayer or Schalke supporters. We want to show that terror and hatred can never dictate our actions. And of course we play for Marc Bartra, who wants to see his team win.

“We ask all BVB fans to support our team today with total energy for 90 minutes. This team had to process the incomprehensible in a short space of time. We should all help you to come to terms with it.

“I just appealed to the team in the changing room to show society that we do not bend before terror.”

Watzke summed up the feelings of the majority as football showed the world that there will only be one winner in the fight against terror.

And to kick off the relationship International Soccer Academy Manager Willie McNab will be coming to Boston to deliver a coach education session and an on-the-field demonstration later this month.

We caught up with McNab, who has built a fine reputation as a soccer clinician, demonstrating all over the world, including at numerous NSCAA Conventions, to ask him about what he is hoping for from the two-day course.

When and where are the sessions?

I’ll be across in Boston from April 26 to April 30 and the actual dates of the coaching sessions will be April 28 and April 29 at the New Balance headquarters in the city.
The Friday will be a theory based session and on the Saturday will we have the field demonstrations.

What can we expect from the sessions?

I work at the NSCAA Coaching Convention every year and the sessions will be similar to that. At the Conventions though you have such a wide-ranging audience – you have people working at grass-roots level all the way through to the professional level and also it’s about trying to find the right level to pitch at.

The Boston sessions will be to a smaller audience – maybe 60 coaches – rather than up to 2,000 that you can have watching at the Convention.

There will be a more intimate feel to it and I’ll be able to spend more time with the group as a whole and maybe if individuals want to chat I’ll be able to do that in a more relaxed environment.

The Conventions are absolutely brilliant but there are a lot of people there from all over the world offering insights and opinion, whereas these sessions will be focused on Celtic so we can give them some real insight into what we are doing.

Sometimes big venues can be intimidating and if someone has a really good question, they tend not to pose it, they tend to come and ask you one-on-one, so a smaller setting should allow people to ask those questions.

It also gives us the chance to tell people about the 24 partners in North America and we also have three partners in Panama and Venezuela and Costa Rica so it’s about letting coaches know about how partnering with Celtic can benefit them.

How will the partnership between Celtic and GoPlay work?

So basically through this new partnership GoPlay will be identifying clubs in the local area to invite them along so we can tell them a bit about what we are doing at the Celtic Academy but also what we are doing in North America with the club partnership programme that we have at the club.

And we’ll also be letting them know about the opportunity they have to travel with GoPlay and the strong relationship we have with them.

The relationship with GoPlay will mean that any clubs who show an interest in coming to Celtic will be offered GoPlay’s expertise in arranging their travel arrangements.
But in addition to that GoPlay have also got some fantastic relationships with some local clubs in Boston but also further afield across America – it’s a win-win situation for both Celtic and GoPlay.

The conference is organized by founder and director Phil Wheddon, a former Goalkeeper Coach of the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams. After attending a Goalkeeping conference in Holland, Phil recognized the need for a similar conference in the United States. When returning from Holland, he began putting together a non-licensing, non-affiliated event specifically for goalkeeper coaches.

The conference will offer some of the best goalkeeper training the world has to offer featuring some of the worlds’ best goalkeeper coaches including:

– Hugo Oliveira – Premier League Hull City Goalkeeper Coach. Former S. L. Benfica and Portuguese National team goalkeeper coach. Worked with talents such as Jan Oblak, Julio Cesar, Ederson Moraes and more.

– Eric Steele – Ex-Derby County, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Manchester United GK Coach. Former FA GK Coach of the year – has coached football greats; Peter Schmeichel, Thomas Sorensen, Joe Hart, Edwin van der Sar and David de Gea.

– Lee Kendall – England WNT Goalkeeper Coach Since 2014. Lee works primarily with the senior squad of Goalkeepers, but he also oversees the program from the U15 to Senior International team. As part of the England WNT bronze medal winners in the 2015 World Cup in Canada, Lee helped aid Karen Bardsley performances in the FIFA tournament.

– John Cone, PhD. – Soccer-specific Fitness Specialist and Founder of Fit for 90. John has a PhD in kinesiology and is a former MLS assistant coach and director of sports science.

“The International Goalkeeper Coaches Conference is the only conference in the country dedicated to the development of goalkeeper coaches and the goalkeeping position. The IGCC is committed to bringing together the top goalkeeping coaches from around the world to share information and impact the development of goalkeepers worldwide. With that in mind we are thrilled to partner with GoPlay Tours, the industry leader in sports tours both domestically and internationally. As a partner, GoPlay will offer amazing opportunities for attendees to experience the game at the highest levels in unique settings. GoPlay Tours will provide access to coaches and training environments that will give our coaches and their players an insight into the workings and operations of some of the top clubs in the world. GoPlay Tours is, without a doubt, the #1 recommended sports tours company in the country and we are excited to enter into this partnership with them.”

Phil Wheddon, Director and Founder of the International Goalkeeper Coaches Conference

“The International Goalkeeper Coaches Conference is a world-class collection of goalkeepers and coaches that gives attendees the chance to learn, network and grow. At GoPlay, our mission is to help players and coaches see the world and reach their full potential as players in the process. We’re absolutely thrilled to support such a world-class organization and partner with such a qualified group of coaches and mentors.”

Brian Ainscough, GoPlay Tours Technical Director

To receive a $200 discount on registration for the conference, use the discount code GOPLAY17 before May 1st.

Smiling from ear to ear, new Atlanta United Superdraft pick Julian Gressel came to see us in Los Angeles and told us “it all started with a GoPlay tour”.

It was music to our ears. What an incredible endorsement.

Less than a year after his Spring tour to Italywith Providence, it was evident the experience had stuck with the Germany-born midfielder. He might have been forgiven for forgetting his Rome trip; he had after all just been the eighth pick in the first round of the MLS Superdraft.

Atlanta United president Darren Eales said: “Julian is a player who we feel is ready to contribute after a very successful college career and his versatility made him appealing.”

Gressel, 23, made 21 appearances for the Friars in which he scored 15 goals and notched six assists in the 2016 season. Gressel, who was product of the SpVgg Greuther Fürth academy, was also named a NSCAA First Team All-American and was a Mac-Hermann Trophy semifinalist.

‘To be honest I think that’s where it all started for Providence last spring’

We asked Gressel just how the experience in Italy, where the Friars visited the AS Roma Academy, helped the team’s togetherness, he added: “We went on a trip to Italy and yes I think it definitely did.

“To be honest I think that’s where it all started for Providence last spring. It shaped our team identity, it shaped who we were in the past year and helped our culture a lot.

“It was something special. You could tell that GoPlay cared about us and what we did there and we just had a great time. We were just well-taken care of.”

Coach Craig Stewart, who has aided his development over the last four years, said: “Julian came in very mature player coming over from Germany but I think he has continued to take his game to the next level every year.

“It took a lot of hard work to do that but he has been very determined to do accomplish his goals and I’m delighted he’s been picked in the first round of the draft.”

‘It helped our culture a lot’

During his senior year, five of Gressel’s 15 goals came as game-winners, including the lone goal in the Friars’ 1-0 victory over St. Johns to win the Big East regular season title. Gressel also scored twice in a 5-4 victory over No. 1 seed and previously unbeaten Maryland in the NCAA Tournament, in which the visitors managed to overhaul a 4-1 deficit.

The Friars were down 4-1 with 21 minutes on the clock to the tournament favorites only for Gressel to power home from close range to start an unlikely comeback. Another three goals completed a stunning fightback and moved Providence into the last 16.

There they saw off Creighton 2-1 before eventually losing in the quarter-finals to North Carolina 1-0 in a double overtime thriller at Fetzer Field. There was no disgrace in defeat against the No 10 ranked team in the country though and the Friars finished their 2016 season with a 15-7 record.

There’s no doubting that the powerful Gressel was an integral part of a successful Friars side and he has accumulated no shortage of honors.

He was named Big East Co-Offensive Player of the Year (2016), First Team All-Big East (2016), Big East All-Tournament Team (2016, 2015, 2014) and Big East All-Rookie Team (2013). He also helped the Friars to the NCAA Tournament in three of his four seasons, reaching the Semifinals of the NCAA College Cup in 2014. The Friars also won the Big East Tournament in 2014.